we went on drinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we went on drinking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuation of drinking after a certain point or event. Example: "After the party ended, we went on drinking until the early hours of the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We went on drinking tea and talking politics.

The New York Times - Magazine

I saw him a few days before his body was found, and we went on drinking into the night.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He blew up frequently at work, went on drinking binges, and at one point, he writes in "Street Freak: Money and Madness at Lehman Brothers," his recently released book, he downed half a bottle of Tylenol PM in a half-hearted suicide attempt.

The New York Times

Even when they weren't good, though, everyone went on drinking them, because they were claret.

The New Yorker

And that holiday you went on, drinking only blue alcohol, pink with the tan and wearing vests, shouting on Spanish strips and having a quad bike tequila hangover on a beach.

Vice

"When you bring clean water to a village, you're giving that village a reprieve from the disease and death that would certainly come if they went on drinking filthy water". The fundraiser, the WOW Walk 4 Water, is Women of the Wells' second annual charity walk.

Los Angeles Times

While people in a number of countries still drink more overall, Britons (and the Irish, as well) are likelier to go on drinking binges, consuming five, six, seven or more drinks in a single session.

The New York Times

One-third of Irish 15- and 16-year-olds go on drinking binges at least three times a month.

The New York Times

Vargas and Jiménez would go on drinking binges together that lasted for days at a time and included helping each other serenade the different women they desired.

The Guardian - Music

"This is a wine that really only gets going at around 20 years in the bottle, hits its stride at 30 and can go on drinking for well beyond 100.

The New York Times

Holding a slice of black bread to his nose, he explained, "When you've had too much, the smell of bread sobers you up and you can go on drinking".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we went on drinking" to clearly indicate the continuation of a drinking activity after a specific event or time. For example, "After the concert, we went on drinking at the bar."

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "we went on drinking" in highly formal writing might sound too casual. Consider alternatives like "we continued to consume alcohol" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we went on drinking" primarily functions as a narrative element. It describes a continued action, indicating that the act of drinking persisted beyond a certain point. Ludwig's examples show its usage in personal anecdotes and descriptive passages.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we went on drinking" is a grammatically correct way to describe the continuation of drinking alcohol, as confirmed by Ludwig. While relatively infrequent, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, lending itself to neutral or informal communication. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "we continued to drink". Overall, the phrase is usable and understandable, though context-dependent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we continued to drink

Emphasizes the act of continuing to consume alcohol, similar in meaning but uses a more straightforward verb construction.

we kept drinking

Indicates a persistent action of drinking, offering a slightly less formal alternative.

we carried on drinking

British English alternative, conveying the same meaning of continuing to drink.

we proceeded to drink

Suggests a more formal and deliberate continuation of drinking.

we persisted in drinking

Highlights the determination to continue drinking, even if there were reasons to stop.

we didn't stop drinking

Focuses on the lack of cessation, implying an extended period of drinking.

we prolonged our drinking

Emphasizes the extension of the drinking activity, implying a conscious effort to make it last.

we stretched out the drinking

Focuses on making the drinking last longer, often implying a leisurely pace.

we extended our drinking session

More explicit about the context being a drinking session and the act of prolonging it.

we further indulged in drinks

Highlights the act of indulging in drinks, implying enjoyment and excess.

FAQs

What does "we went on drinking" mean?

The phrase "we went on drinking" means that a group of people continued to drink alcohol after a certain point or event. It indicates the continuation of the drinking activity.

What can I say instead of "we went on drinking"?

You can use alternatives like "we continued to drink", "we kept drinking", or "we carried on drinking" depending on the context.

Is "we went on drinking" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we went on drinking" is grammatically correct. It uses the correct verb tense and structure to convey the intended meaning of continuing to drink.

In what contexts is "we went on drinking" most appropriate?

The phrase "we went on drinking" is most appropriate in informal or neutral contexts, such as personal anecdotes or casual conversations. More formal situations may call for alternatives like "we continued drinking".